How a homeschool mom created an education website that reaches millions
Jan 3, 2025
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Debra Ross, a dedicated homeschool mom, is the founder and CEO of Kids Out And About, LLC, which provides essential family resources and event info to over 11 million visitors. In this conversation, she shares her journey of marrying entrepreneurship with family life. Topics include the significant rise of homeschooling, innovative ways to connect families with local educational resources, and the evolving landscape of education shaped by the COVID pandemic. Debra also discusses her vision for expanding community engagement through diverse educational opportunities.
Deborah Ross leveraged her experience as a homeschool mom to identify and fill a gap in family-oriented educational resources, creating impactful websites for parents and children.
Emphasizing the importance of personalized education, she advocates for tailored learning experiences and strong teacher-student relationships to enhance children's development.
Deep dives
Deborah Ross's Entrepreneurial Journey
Deborah Ross transitioned from a technology consultant to an entrepreneur after identifying a gap in family-oriented resources in her community. In 2001, she launched Kids Out and About with a vision to create a comprehensive website that would provide families with access to local events and activities, an innovative concept at the time. As she balanced her entrepreneurial venture with homeschooling her two daughters, Deborah successfully combined her professional and personal life, sharing experiences that enriched her children's education. The website's growth, driven by a mission to connect families with opportunities, has since reached millions of visitors across North America.
Understanding Parents' Educational Desires
Deborah has a unique insight into what parents seek for their children's education, cultivated through her extensive engagement with families over the years. She emphasizes that while parents desire well-rounded educational experiences, their fundamental wish is for caring and dedicated teachers, reflecting a deep trust in educators' influence on their children’s development. This perspective challenges conventional education norms by highlighting the importance of fostering personal relationships between teachers and students. Additionally, she advocates for more tailored educational experiences to cater to each child's individual needs, moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach found in traditional schools.
The Role of Technology and Accessibility
The advent of technology has played a crucial role in making educational resources more accessible, enabling parents to take charge of their children's learning. Deborah's platform evolved during COVID-19, adapting to include both in-person and virtual event listings, which broadened the scope of available educational opportunities. This flexibility empowered parents to explore unconventional education routes and connect with resources they may not have considered previously. The increase in online resources has made education more affordable and accessible, showing how parents can successfully navigate and enrich their children's learning journeys.
Advocating for Community Engagement and Resources
Deborah strongly believes in the mission of making community resources visible and accessible to families, a philosophy that drives both Kids Out and About and its companion site, Beyond the Nest. By allowing organizations to post events for free, she encourages collaboration within communities, enabling programs to showcase what they offer without the burden of marketing costs. This strategy not only increases visibility but fosters a culture of celebration and appreciation for local opportunities available to families. Deborah's ongoing goal is to connect parents with diverse educational options, affirming that community involvement is vital for creating enriching environments for children.
Debra Ross is a homeschool mom and the founder, publisher, and CEO of Kids Out And About, LLC, a media and marketing company that provides information on family-focused resources and events in communities across the country through its two main platforms, KidsOutAndAbout.com and BeyondTheNest.com, which reach 11 million visitors.
*** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly LiberatED e-newsletter on education trends at fee.org/liberated.
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